Behind the Scenes at Ndara: a Journey of Heart, Craft & Community
Located in the heart of Bangui, our capital city, settled between rolling hills on the banks of the OuBangui River, is our Ndara workshop and boutique. Ndara is more than just a physical location or a brand — it’s a testament to the strength of community, the beauty of sustainability, and the unbreakable spirit of human creativity. Every corner of our workshop tells a story, every product we create is infused with the perseverance of the artisans who craft them, and every step of our production process is a journey of empowerment. While our finished products in our Bangui boutique or in our webshop are what most of our customers and audience see, that is, in fact, a very small percentage of what Ndara is. Behind the scenes of each Ndara product, there are thousands of steps and decisions taken to embody what we believe is real sustainability.
A Peek into the Weekly Rhythm
Every Monday marks a fresh start. Our team gathers to take stock of the previous week's sales and look through our inventory. This seemingly simple task has been a significant learning curve for the artisans, who initially struggled to read and write. Each boutique team is comprised of two artisans to bridge the knowledge gap: one proficient in these skills and another who is still learning. This partnership isn't just about getting the job done; it's about sharing knowledge and uplifting each other. Every few weeks, the boutique teams are swapped around, and new pairs are formed, with the purpose of also teaching the more proficient artisan (the teacher, in this case) to adapt her teaching skills to a new "student."
From Inventory to Production
Once the inventory is assessed, our team sets the weekly production schedule. They carefully consider the demand for various products, factoring in custom orders, new products under development, and other ongoing projects. The entire team comes together to divide the workload among the artisans, ensuring that everyone contributes to the production process.
While it would be more time-efficient for the workshop manager to just divide the productions between the artisans and call it a day, we decided to make it a team exercise. Our goal is to ensure the artisans themselves can run and take responsibility for each step of the management and production process, so it is essential to us that all artisans not only understand but participate in each momentum.
Materials with Meaning
Before production begins, the artisans evaluate their workshop's material inventory. They determine if they have enough thread, fabric, and other supplies to meet the week's needs. When additional shopping is necessary, the team collectively decides who will source which materials.
We're committed to sustainability, which means making the most of what we have. Scraps of fabric become the soft stuffing for our stuffed animals, small pieces are stitched together to form something new, and broken zippers find a second life. It's a practice that not only reduces waste but also continually reminds us that in what some may consider waste, there can be beauty.
Shopping for Supplies
When new materials are needed, our artisans venture out into the local markets, navigating the bustling streets of Bangui by motorbike taxis and visiting various markets to find the necessary supplies. The second-hand market is a treasure trove for the artisans, offering a wide range of fabrics, buckles, and other accessories. For items like threads, needles, and scissors, the artisans visit the tradesmen at the big Pk5 market.
For any other business, the most efficient way to get supplies would be to have one person responsible for sourcing, developing relationships with suppliers, and negotiating prices. While we always negotiate the best prices possible, we have chosen to involve all artisans in this task – making sure that all artisans get this exposure and understand the ins and outs of how we find and select the materials we need. By all artisans being able and capable of sourcing all the different materials we need, we build a more resilient operation.
Prioritizing Local Businesses and Women-Led Enterprises
We are committed to supporting the local communities and empowering small entrepreneurs in general and women entrepreneurs in particular. Instead of working with one large supplier, we prioritize working with several small business owners, ensuring that our spending has a positive impact beyond the direct family members of our Ndara family.
While this approach can sometimes present challenges, such as limited stock availability and more journeys across the city for us to get to our different suppliers, we believe it ultimately is the most sustainable choice for the bigger-picture goal we are trying to achieve: maximize our long-term positive impact.
Production, Quality Control, and Boutique Preparation
Once artisans have their materials, they work independently to produce their share of the week's products. Upon completion, they place their finished items on the quality control table. The Ndara workshop manager, before he does his own quality control, will ask one artisan to inspect another artisan's products as a learning opportunity to hone the skills of not only quality control but also constructively correct a fellow artisan. If a product passes quality control, it is added to the inventory and prepared for the boutique.
Every Friday, the boutique team prepares for the weekend rush by cleaning and rearranging the display. New inventory is brought in from the workshop, where it is carefully labeled, tagged, and placed on display. The entire Ndara team then comes together to critique the boutique installation, offering suggestions and ensuring that the products are presented in the most appealing way.
As an opportunity to learn the power and importance of displaying a product right, the Ndara boutique manager will mention the two products that have sold the least in the past weeks, tasking the artisans to find new ways of displaying this product to see if it will sell better. Every week, she will report to the Ndara team and inform them if the sales of the products they re-displayed last week have increased.
A Future Woven with Hope
Our success lies in our commitment to sustainability and empowerment. By involving every artisan in every step of the process, from production planning to boutique management, we ensure that each artisan is not only skilled but also empowered. Our victory is not measured by how much we can grow in numbers, but by how independent and resilient the Ndara artisans become in the management of Ndara, ensuring that the continuation of Ndara is not dependent on one or two people but that it can be carried by several different people.
We envision a future where Ndara continues to thrive, expanding our team of artisans and contributing positively to the community and the lives of people worldwide.
